Captain Lee Exposes 'Below Deck' Guests Initially Didn't Pay for Charters

Below Deck’s Captain Lee Reveals Guests Originally Didn't Pay for Charters, Explains How It Backfired

Captain Lee Chris Haston/NBC

Captain Lee Rosbach shared some interesting insights about the spending habits of charter guests during the first season of Below Deck. At the time, the concept of filming charter guests on a moving boat with a full crew and camera crew was completely new and uncharted territory.

"When we first started the series, it was so unknown," recalled the 74-year-old Below Deck alum during the "Amy and T.J." podcast on April 25th. While some had an idea of what they were doing, no one had ever documented charter guests in such a unique setting with all the necessary crew members, camera crew, and audio technicians on board. This was a first-of-its-kind experience that had never been attempted before.

Due to the novelty of the experience, prospective guests were offered the opportunity to charter the boat for free. Lee shared, "We were not asking for any payment for the charters."

However, this decision soon created difficulties for the crew. Lee explained, "We encountered a problem because we were not collecting any fees for the charters. Without any investment, people would easily back out last minute in favor of a better offer."

He continued: “Then we have four days to fill with no guests. We started charging — they did get a heavily discontinued rate. It was really a great deal for them.”

Below Deck’s Captain Lee Reveals Guests Originally Didn't Pay for Charters, Explains How It Backfired

Xandi Olivier on ‘Below Deck.’ Fred Jagueneau/Bravo

The captain revealed where guests stayed before and after being on Honor. He mentioned that the guests had an all-inclusive booking, which covered their stay at the villa.

In 2013, Bravo premiered Below Deck, a show that follows the lives of crew members living and working on a superyacht during charter season. The series was a hit, leading to the creation of spinoffs like Below Deck Mediterranean, Below Deck Sailing Yacht, Below Deck Down Under, and Below Deck Adventure.

Captain Lee became a familiar face to fans during his 10-year run on Below Deck. He appeared on every season until season 10, when he took a break from filming to focus on his health.

Lee was temporarily replaced by Captain Sandy Yawn from Below Deck Mediterranean before returning later in the 2022 season. Off screen, it was revealed that Lee would be replaced by Captain Kerry Titheradge from Below Deck Adventure for season 11.

The former reality star has since admitted that he was not expecting to leave Below Deck, sharing exclusively with Us in May 2023: “That came right out of left field. I did not see that one coming at all.”

Below Deck’s Captain Lee Reveals Guests Originally Didn't Pay for Charters, Explains How It Backfired

Ben Willoughby and Sunny Marquis on ‘Below Deck.’ Fred Jagueneau/Bravo

Lee said he wasn't given a reason for the decision when he was let go.

He remembered the network telling him, "'We would like to move in a new direction.' But I mean, that's kind of a cliche that everybody uses when they find themselves in that situation where they're going to let somebody go. 'I'm going to move in a new direction. We want to freshen it up a little.' [They are] tired cliches that get overused."

Lee has been collaborating with Bravo on his Coach Talk With Captain Lee and Kate. He was also announced as the host of a new Oxygen true crime series called Deadly Waters earlier this year. In addition, he has entered the world of podcasting with “Salty With Captain Lee,” a show he co-hosts with Sam DeCavalcanti.

Despite his new projects, Lee has not ruled out a potential return to Below Deck. In an interview with Us in May 2023, he mentioned, “If they found that they needed me back on the show, I’d go back. I’ve done it for 10 years and I would kind of like to — if I’m going to make an exit — do it on different terms.”

Editor's P/S:

The article sheds light on the early challenges faced by the production team of "Below Deck" due to the novelty of the concept. By offering free charters, they encountered difficulties in securing guests who would often cancel last minute. To address this, they implemented a heavily discounted rate, which still provided guests with a luxurious experience.

Captain Lee Rosbach's departure from "Below Deck" after 10 seasons has left fans speculating about the reasons behind the decision. While the network cited a desire for a new direction, Lee himself was surprised by the move. Despite his exit, Lee remains a beloved figure in the "Below Deck" franchise and has embarked on several new projects, including a true crime series and a podcast. He has also expressed a willingness to return to the show if called upon.